#clexa2018

[clexmas24]

Happy New Year, Clexakru!

Art belongs to @hailhedaleksa.

[alexwater13]

Hey, it's your Secret Santa again! I don't know where you are or what time it is but I hope you are having/had a wonderful Sunday! Enjoy the rest of your day ☺

Thank you!!! I’m in the big apple and it is freezing today. I hope you also have a wonderful Sunday.

[clexaweekofficial]

Clexaweek stats

Hahaha so listen, if you’re ever worried that our fandom is shrinking, never fear. 

Last year for Clexaweek2017 (NOT counting Clexahalloweenweek) we had around 500,00 words total for fic and 46 new Clexa art pieces.

This year for Clexa2018, we have 661,626 words total for fic and 92 new works of fanart. Those numbers may grow because I only just finished the masterlist and I’m sure there are works missing from there.

We posted nearly 700,000 words and nearly 100 new works of art all in one week.

We’re lextra af and here to stay. Clexaweek feels like a family reunion- no matter how busy life gets or other fandoms we may gravitate to, we’ll always travel back home to come together (*cough* literally this year on Day 4 for the majority of us *cough*) celebrate Clexa. :)

Lexa lives on!

[alexwater13]

Split ask: Lol, imagining you being the only one who is wearing a Santa hat while everyone else is dressed normally made me chuckle. A+ for creative cat names, I have never heard of a cat named Tomato before! She's very cute with playing with her toilet paper and the tree! I love the white around her nose 😀 I am German and in our stable we are having a cat named "Katze um die Ecke" which roughly translates to "Cat around the corner" That is her actual name. I don't know who came up with that.

Stable?!?! Horses? Goats? Chickens? I am jealous. Your cats name is amazing! Also sounds like a neat coffee shop. Yes it was one of those “what am I going to name my cat, tomato? I don’t even like tomatoes.” And it stuck. But she is also called potato and dumb dumb. When she head butts and purrs we refer to it as her giving us sauce. I know, lame. As for your second ask. Hmmmmm what do I do when I’m sad 🤔. Well I know that I am loved by the people around me but sometimes thinking about that doesn’t get me out of a rut. I also know that I have all I could ask for and am striving for the things I want, a house, kids, successful career. When focusing on all that doesn’t help I take a step back and try to get through the day because I know tomorrow could bring more of the same but it will be just the smallest bit better. I grew up understanding that there are ups and downs in life. But the ups wouldn’t be so amazing if I didn’t have anything to climb from. If that makes any sense. Also, did I go to deep or too shallow with that answer? Are you bored yet? Is this post too long? Ohhhhhh I forgot. I will snuggle with one of my cats and that ALWAYS helps.

[alexwater13]

I have to split the ask again. Part 1: In the stable we have horses, 2 guard dogs, 2 goats, 2 mini pigs and cats. Besides cats, what other animals do you love/are your favorite? Lol, I absolutely despise tomatoes. I have to barf whenever I accidentally eat one! Omg, your other names for Tomato and her "giving you sauce" made me laugh! That's hilarious but also very cute 😆 -SS

I am always asked why I like ketchup because I don’t like tomatoes. Ummm sugar. Yes we also have Max and Gilly. Gilly is named after the Kristen Wigg character bc she always looks so innocent but is constantly messing shit up. And Max came with his name. Gilly nicknames: Bert, GertyBert, Little shit. Max Nicknames: Mr. Puppycups, bologna feet, also little shit.

Please excuse the Chewbacca mask. We have all sorts of funny props in our house. Including a full chicken suit.

[alexwater13]

Yeah, NY is definitely on the top of my travel list! I love to explore cities and going on trips but for settling down I really prefer quiet places that are surrounded by nature. Christmas must be beautiful in NY though with all the lights and decorations, right? Is there a specific Christmas tradition you especially look forward to? -SS

Yes it is beautiful here when it’s all dressed up. As far as traditions, hmmm.... I buy a new Santa hat every year and am usually the only one who wears it. When we put up the tree we call it “back to nature time” for my cat Tomato. Ohhhhh also, this year we are trying to watch a Christmas themed movie every night. There are very bad ones out there. Like if Lifetime and Hallmark has a baby then you get A Christmas Prince. The WORST movie I have ever seen. And I have watched a lot of B movies. What about your Christmas traditions?

And yes that is her roll of toilet paper. Some of the best toys are not toys at all.

[alexwater13]

I am obsessed with space, the supernatural, true crime and conspiracy theories. I love spending time with my dog, horse and the other animals at the stable. Then I am interested in learning new things and random facts. When I am bored I either read Clexa fics (I can't count them, I read way too many. I reread a lot when I'm bored), listen to music or watch TV. Oh, I also love flowers and scented candles very much! I can't think of the best food I've ever eaten, nothing really stands out. You?-SS

Ha. Random facts, I am a whiz with those. My wife calls them Samfacts. Whenever we come across something I know a little about I immediately spew every piece of useless information about it that I have stored in my brain. People who don’t know me think I’m being a know it all but I’m actually trying to impress them. Trying to relate. It’s another one of my quirks. Hmm. I love food. Cookies are probably my favorite dessert item. I eat meat but love veggies too. I think my moms cooking is the best food I have ever had. It brings memories and love. I like candles but have a fear of burning the house down. I feel bad about buying flowers because they used to be living. Ummmmmm I have a tv addiction but play off that I’m a cool hipster in Brooklyn. So what are your interests in a career? What do you see yourself doing in the next couple years? Travel? Sky dive? Eat a ghost pepper?

[alexwater13]

Oh yeah, Korrasami and WayHaught are still ships! I love WH as well and I am also currently obsessed with Deanoru from Marvel's Runaways. Oh man, you seriously are such a great person! Your niece is amazing, you taught her very well! I agree with you, little kids should from an early age be introduced to independent women, non "traditional" m/f relationships and they should be taught that love is love and it doesn't matter what you identify with. How would your ideal day look like? -SS

My ideal day, hmmmm. Well, I’m pretty sure it’s every day. I wake up with several cats and my wife. I have a cup of coffee, I like my job so there’s that. I run my errands, etc. Yikes, I sound so grown up and boring. What I’m saying is right now things have worked out. I have made it, whatever that means. I know I will always strive to accomplish more or see more places but I have time to do so. Right now is where I am meant to be. I went too deep again but it’s not all rainbows. I get road rage, I am usually grumpy when I wake up before my alarm, I get hangry to the point where my wife carriers around a granola bar just in case. I like my “me” time. Sometimes I talk too much, like right now. I’m not perfect but I’m me. So my ideal day would be to just wake up everyday.

My turn, what about you? What are your interests? Hobbies? How many fics have you read? Do you reread them? What do you and your friends do for fun? What is the best food you have ever eaten?

[alexwater13]

Part 2: I am definitely not bored, your answer was truly amazing. I didn't expect such a strong and profound answer. This really blew me away a little because it gave me hope that the next day could always be better and it also was kind of comforting and wise! I love that. Aww, Tomato is such a cutie! I love her white-striped nose and eyes!! ❤ Since this is Clexa Secret Santa, what made you fall in love with them and do you have a favorite scene? -SS

Hmmm how did I get into Clexa. Not going to be short. So I decided to tap into my good old lesbian roots and see if there was anything worth reading out there. I stumbled up on a very angsty book The Paper Dolls on Amazon. It was a long and labor intensive read at times but addicting. Talked about abuse, first love, coming out, etc. The fan girl that I am I stumbled on the authors tumblr page. That’s when I found out about ships and stuff. I had to look this stuff up. I’m not old but unaware. I realized that people created this to see what they wanted reflected in the media they consumed. I always craved for that when I was young. I used to sneak out four towns over to buy video tapes of lesbian movies. I was way in the closest back then. And yes I said video tapes, All Over Me, But I’m a Cheerleader (which was watched so many times I ruined the tape). So there I was, on tumblr and my mind was blown. There were all thes ships so I started to watch the shows. I started with Supergirl, and let me tell you two terrible seasons in I was pissed bc Supercorp didn’t play out. They never and still are not together. Then I understood what a ship was and all the other lingo that comes with it. Back to tumblr, I found out about AO3 and then I was hooked. I kept seeing Clexa this and Clexa that, again watched the show. Never got passed the point where Lexa dies. But back to AO3 I went and bam, thousands of fics to read. It blew me away. So here is my open letter to fic writers:

When you pull apart the story and take ideas that were given and put your own spin on it is amazing. Renders me speechless. You are all so diverse. Each story or trope is described in a delicate way in which a reader can emerge themselves into the playing field. Am I watching it happen? Am I a side character? Am I the main focus? Do I identify with all? I could never put into words what I feel or where a story can go. I can see in my mind played out but there is a block in translation to paper. You all do that. And do it with such tact. I feel the love, the angst, the humor when I read it. There are several mediums that elicit a response from our brain. Whether it is music, performance, or written word. Your writing reflects the response of a favorite song. A performance where you stand and clap. A piece of art that takes your breath away. Never discount what you do as simply fan fic. It is so much more than that. You delve into the depths of each character and give them a voice. So thank you. I am but a humble reader. I don’t pretend to be an expert on this but when you can escape the real world for an hour and be somewhere else to me that tells me you have accomplished far more than you give yourself credit for. You put yourself out there. Not to be judged by us. But to see if you have an impact and I believe you do. Whether it’s a hobby, an escape or a full time job I thank you once more. Never stop. You were born to do it. Some people spend their whole lives wondering if they are good at anything. Please don’t stop the music.

Long story short. I feel in love with Clexa because of the fic writers. My favorite scene would be from some of my favorite writers. @mswarrior @kendrene @raedmagdon @bitterbones87 @sassymajesty @n1ghtwr1ter @commanderlexaofthegrounders @jlaw1105 @sheis-me @thessclexa @effortlesslyopulent @orangeyouglad8 @bdasswarrior @theevangelion @mcwithaminthetardis @blackindiaink @thepaperdollsseries

And so many more....